Jobs at The Citizen
News Reporter
A full time, permanent, office-based position for a News Reporter exists within our Editorial Department reporting to the News Editor of The Citizen newspaper, based in Industria West, Roodepoort.
Purpose of the job:
To cover news events assigned by the News Editor and to write accurate and well-written stories for daily publication.
Main Responsibilities:
• Production of accurate and well-written news copy
• Interviewing people in a range of circumstances
• Seeking out and investigating stories via your contacts
• Covering important events/issues timeously
• Use sources, documents, computer-assisted reporting, and other journalistic tools to develop, report and write exclusive/unique stories
• Work with the News Editor in the development of story and project ideas
• Identify and develop newsworthy online stories in conjunction with the news editor for print and paywall
• Do fact checking of all articles you write
• Adhere to Code of Ethics and Editorial Standards and Practices
• Establishing a network of contacts
• Monitor electronic news outlets to pick up on news leads and story ideas
• Working across the different news platforms of The Citizen
• Taking stories forward at any time of the day, on the most appropriate news platform of The Citizen
• Update social media accounts for the purpose of promoting The Citizen’s digital strategy.
• Study and adhere to The Citizen and citizen.co.za’s Voice and Style Guide.
• Monitor and utilise analytics to maximise all stories and articles published on citizen.co.za.
• Adhere to Google algorithm requirements and write with SEO and Google search in mind. Although this is a print position and the Reporter will write for the newspaper, The Citizen has a digital-first mindset and all Reporters must be familiar with digital concepts such as analytics and SEO.
Core Competencies:
Knowledge/Experience Skills Attitude
• Talent for writing coupled with a keen news sense of news • MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook • Ability to work accurately
• Keen interest in reading newspapers • Communication skills • Ability to work under pressure
• Matric and Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Journalism • Relationship-building skills • Deadline driven
• + 5 years writing experience • People skills • High degree of professional Journalistic conduct
• Copy tasting • Ability to communicate and post on news events via multiple social media platforms • Ability to work both independently and in a team
• Social media
• Accuracy, speed and balance
Other requirements:
• Valid driver’s licence essential
• Own vehicle essential
• Willing to work irregular hours and weekends
• Solid references
• No criminal record
• Please send suitable applications with a full CV to cvs@citizen.co.za
• Reference in subject line: News Reporter
• Closing date for applications: 15 December 2023
• Preference will be given to individuals who will add to the diversity of the organisation.
• The Citizen reserves the right to not fill the position.
Advertising Sales Coordinator
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Citizen has a full time, office-based vacancy in its Johannesburg (Industria West, Roodepoort) office for an Advertising Sales Coordinator, reporting to the Direct Advertising Sales Manager.
The suitable candidate will be part of a vibrant, forward-thinking team and be responsible for the effective coordination of all administrative functions pertaining to the smooth running of the advertising sales department as well as compiling a daily market share report.
Core Competencies:
Knowledge/Experience
• Matric/Grade 12 qualification or SAQA Accredited Equivalent
• Minimum 3 years’ admin and sales coordinating experience
• Computer literate (MS Office Suite – Excel & Word a must)
Skills
• Market knowledge and insight
• Good command of the English language
• Strong customer service ability
• Excellent communication skills
• Good administrative and organisational skills
• Excellent telephone manner
• Excellent typing skills
Attitude
• Ability to work under pressure
• Self-motivated
• Deadline driven
• Team player
• Multi-tasker
Other requirements:
• Solid references
• No criminal record
• Please send suitable applications with a full CV to cvs@citizen.co.za
• Reference in subject line: Sales Coordinator
• Closing date for applications: 31 December 2023
• Preference will be given to individuals who will add to the diversity of the organisation.
• The Citizen reserves the right to not fill the position.
Vacancy – Digital Journalist
A full time, office-based opportunity for a Digital Journalist exists within our Editorial (Digital) Department, reporting to the Deputy Digital Editor of The Citizen.
Purpose of the Job:
To cover news events assigned by the Editors and to produce accurate and well-written stories daily for our publication.
Main Responsibilities:
• Plan and write fresh, accurate copy to deadline for all platforms, in co-operation with the Digital News Editor and Digital Editor.
• Manage your own daily diary, and pitch unique story ideas, with creative angles and elements.
• Create, publish, and promote multimedia content, working independently as well as with the multimedia team.
• Researching of articles.
• Gathering of news from a variety of reliable sources.
• Interviewing sources.
• Covering important events/issues timeously.
• Staying up to date with privacy, contempt and defamation laws.
• Establishing and maintaining a network of contacts.
• Adhere to Code of Ethics and Editorial Standards and Practices.
• Monitor and effectively use social media to pick up news leads and story ideas, as well as promote your work.
• Upload and publish stories using the company’s CMS.
• Assist with online administrative functions as directed.
• Mentor and coach junior staff members.
• Monitor analytics constantly.
• Utilise analytics to maximise all stories and articles published on citizen.co.za.
• Adhere to Google algorithm requirements and write with SEO and Google search in mind.
• Study and adhere to The Citizen and citizen.co.za’s Voice and Style Guide.
Core Competencies Required:
Knowledge:
• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Journalism.
• Minimum 3 years’ mainstream journalism experience.
• Talent for writing, coupled with a keen interest in breaking news and current affairs and politics.
• Established network of contacts.
• Newsroom and current affairs writing experience.
• Ability to adapt to changing news and media scene, with a keen interest in new media
Skills:
• Experience using any CMS (WordPress, Joomla, etc.)
• Experience in using Adobe CS, Final Cut or other video editing tools, or audio editing tools.
• Basic Photography/videography skills
• Communication skills.
• Relationship-building skills.
Aptitude:
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Deadline driven.
• High degree of professional journalistic conduct.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Availability to work overtime and on weekends.
• Ability to work speedily but accurately.
Other Requirements:
• Valid driver’s license
• Own reliable vehicle
• Please send suitable applications with a full CV to cvs@citizen.co.za
• Reference in subject line: Digital Journalist
• Closing date for applications: 31 December 2023
• Preference will be given to individuals who will add to the diversity of the organisation.
• The Citizen reserves the right to not fill the position.
Vacancy – Direct Sales Representative
Province: Gauteng
City: Industria West
Type: Full-time; office based
The Citizen currently has a vacancy for a Direct Sales Representative in its sales department, selling advertising space in The Citizen newspaper. The suitable candidate will be part of a vibrant, forward-thinking team, and be responsible for selling advertising opportunities to direct advertisers.
It is the ideal opportunity for an energetic, self-motivated person with a passion for sales. The successful candidate will report directly to the Direct Advertising Sales Manager.
Requirements for the position
• Minimum qualification: National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) or similar
• Minimum of six years’ experience in a direct sales environment, related to the specific portfolio which will be discussed during the interview
• Sales or marketing diploma (IMM/AAA) will be an advantage
• Market knowledge and insight
• Strong customer service ability
• Strong negotiation skills
• Must be able to establish and maintain business relationships
• Proven references in terms of client basis within the portfolio field
• Be able to cold canvass and must be target-driven
• Strong admin and planning skills and computer literate
• Proven experience on direct sales
• Tenacity and initiative
• Own reliable transport and driver’s license: not negotiable
• Own cell phone
Key responsibilities
• Ensure targets are met and exceeded
• Grow existing and new business by effectively identifying new opportunities
• Needs analysis
Please send suitable applications with a full CV to cvs@citizen.co.za
Reference in subject line: Direct Sales Representative
Closing date for applications: 31 December 2023
Preference will be given to individuals who will add to the diversity of the organisation.
The Citizen reserves the right to not fill the position.